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Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Bell (2), right, tries to block a shot from Memphis Grizzlies’ MarShon Brooks (8), left, during the first quarter of their game at Oracle Arena in Oakland Calif., on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)

SALT LAKE CITY — As he sat at his locker stall and enjoyed a post-game meal, Warriors forward Jordan Bell processed what has become a frustrating reality during his second NBA season.

In the Warriors’ 108-103 loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, Bell went scoreless, missed two shots and grabbed three rebounds in nine minutes. The Warriors currently have a thin frontcourt with DeMarcus Cousins’ pending return from a left Achilles tendon injury and Damian Jones out for the regular-season with a torn pectoral muscle. Yet, Bell still did not log much playing time.

How does he stay positive?

“With the paycheck I get twice a month,” Bell said. “It still sucks. But you have to deal with it. There’s nothing you can do about it. You can [complain] about it and not be ready when your name is called and be in worse position. So you just stay with it.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr described Bell’s second NBA season as “up-and-down,” and it’s hard to dispute. Bell has averaged 2.7 points on 50.7 percent shooting and 2.8 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game, a noticeable dropoff from his rookie averages last season with 4.6 points on a 62.7 percent clip, 3.6 rebounds and 14.2 minutes.

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Bell, whom the Warriors acquired by buying the rights to the Chicago Bulls’ 38th draft pick, entered the season prepared for a bigger role as part of the team’s plan to develop its younger players. That coincided with the Warriors’ veteran frontcourt in Zaza Pachulia (Detroit Pistons), JaVale McGee (Los Angeles Lakers) and David West (retirement) going elsewhere.

“He’s a typical young player,” Kerr said. “Lot of bumps in the road and ups and downs. He’s making progress.”

Kerr has often raved about Bell’s passing and athleticism and has praised him for his improved mid-range shooting. He has often pointed out Bell’s need to improve his consistency with his decision making, familiarity with his personnel and adjusting to the center spot as a 6-foot-9, 224-pound forward. There could be another thing that helps Bell’s trajectory.

“Because of DJ’s injury and DeMarcus being out, Jordan is going to play every night,” Kerr said. “So the name of the game these days with the center position is versatility and speed. Jordan has that. It’s a good opportunity for him.”

So far, those opportunities have not panned out. In the first seven games following Jones’ injury, Bell averaged 4.14 points on 48.2 percent shooting and 3.42 rebounds in 12.85 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Kevon Looney has maintained the starting center spot, and Draymond Green and Jonas Jerebko occasionally stagger at the center position. In Bell’s latest effort, Kerr yanked him 50 seconds into the fourth quarter after becoming upset about the Warriors’ poor defensive rotations that ended with Jazz forward Derrick Favors having a wide-open dunk.

“Jordan has definitely been up and down because his minutes have been up and down. He doesn’t know when he’s going to play,” Warriors forward Kevin Durant said. “He’s a third big sometimes. It’s hard to come into the game after not playing for so long and try to have a great game. I think he’s learning. He’s a wise player. So it’s about figuring things out as he goes.”

What has Bell figured out? He has refused to use his external circumstances as an excuse for his uneven play.

“That definitely helps when you know you’re going to get in and not instead of being thrown in at random times. But we always preach about staying ready,” Bell said. “We watch film to know everybody on the team, whether you’re the guy getting the most minutes or the guy getting the fewest minutes. Your name can be called at any time.”

Bell has admired how Looney has mastered that role. So even if Looney has received more playing time because of his superior defensive consistency, Bell has done certain things to emulate him. Bell hired a personal chef who drops off pre-made meals at his home, both to maximize his nutrition and minimize the chance of giving into cravings. Bell and Looney worked out together last summer both on conditioning and shooting drills.

“He stays ready when he’s not playing and he uses that to get better as a basketball player. He has more time and energy to spend during workouts,” Bell said of Looney. “He’s very skilled. I think he’s one of the most disciplined guys we have offensively and defensively.”

Bell has also taken notes from Cousins, who often has mentored the Warriors’ young big men with feedback on how to exert their dominance inside with a dose of honest feedback, positive reinforcement and humor. Though the Warriors do not have full-court scrimmages to help with Cousins’ recovery, his participation in conditioning drills in the past month has made Bell feel more energetic.

“He’s still Boogie. I don’t think he fell off at all,” Bell said. “I don’t think he missed a beat. The only thing right now is actually playing with him. I don’t know how that’s going to work.”

Whenever Cousins returns, that could provide more uncertainty on what Bell’s role entails. Yet, the Warriors have indicated Cousins’ return is not imminent. They still want him to complete more full-court practices, which is only possible with their G League team in Santa Cruz since the Warriors never scrimmage so they can preserve their star players and veterans.

Therefore, Bell pledged to overcome his hiccups and take advantage of the extra playing time that could be allotted for him with Jones’ ongoing absence.

“I play my game no matter who is performing,” Bell said. “Damian’s a big piece for the season. But you got to keep moving forward.”